Titled Intel and DST 'Innovate for Digital India Challenge', the programme aims to push invention and nurture the best in class scientific and technology solutions to help scale tech-adoption and build an empowered ecosystem for pervasive technology adoption.

The programme asks academia, aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators and startups to submit ideas. The top three are expected to get seed fund of Rs 20 lakh each.

The programme offers a six-month incubation period that includes a three-month accelerator programme in Bengaluru and Pune.

IIM Ahmedabad's Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) will execute the programme while Intel, CIIE and MyGov- a government of India initiative - will work for application management, program facilitation and popularisation.

The participants will be mentored by industry stalwarts and Intel experts. In addition to training in technical know-how, access to product kits and infrastructure and multiple commercialisation opportunities will be enabled. The last date to submit entries is June 22.

"The programme combines Intel's history of creating innovative technology with government's Digital India vision, complemented by entrepreneurial talent to create a sustainable technology ecosystem. Through this challenge, we aim to encourage people to come forward and participate and create solutions that will help make Digital India a reality," said Narendra Bhandari, director, Software and Services Group, Intel Asia Pacific & Japan.

"It is wonderful to see Intel actively collaborating with the government in the product start-up space. The Intel & DST Innovate For Digital India Challenge will offer a platform to the young creative minds of Karnataka to showcase their ideas and build start-ups that can make a difference in the Indian market," Naganand Doraswamy, EVP and cofounder of SPAN Infotech and president of TIE Bengaluru, told TimesJobs.com.